What to Look For in Your First Boss

Landing your first job is important. Landing a great first boss, however, is a whole other story. When it comes down to it, bosses are an important part of your career path. They shape your ideals, your insight, and have the potential to foster real passion for the industry.

But bosses can break you down, too. Research shows that three out of four employees report that their boss is the worst and most stressful part of their job. In fact, a boss’s actions account for 67 percent of an employee’s productivity.

Feel the pressure yet?

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While you may believe you have your whole career to find a great boss, your first one is a crucial part of your professional future. In a sense, they can cultivate industry passion from the get-go, or make you second guess yourself. That’s why it’s so important to choose a boss who not only knows what they’re doing, but one who also has a vested interest in your performance.

So, what should you look for in a first boss in order to steer your career in the right direction?

Mentorship access

When you’re a beginner, you may believe you know it all. But even if you have tons of internships under your belt and lots of experience, you still have a lot to learn.

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Access to mentorship opportunities is an important factor in determining a great boss, which is probably why 47.3 percent of interns said they were interested in access to executives and mentorship opportunities. A mentor teaches you the ropes, provides you with some key insights, and lets you know what to do to have a great career. Plus, it’s always good to have someone on the inside, especially someone who has reached a high level of success.

Try this:Request mentorship from the get-go. Many business leaders will have no problem acting as a teacher, but they won’t know you need one unless you ask for it.

Professional development encouragement

The benefits of professional development are plenty. For example, you can increase your skills, knowledge, build your network, and even discover what you’re really good at. Your first boss, whether it’s in an internship or entry-level job, should make these professional development benefits a priority. After all, if you aren’t discovering how to perform to the fullest, you’ll stay stagnant.

Professional development is both internal and external. On the internal side of things, your first boss should give you the tasks or opportunities that will help you to move up in the company. Externally, encouraging attendance at industry events, meetups, or virtual conferences can improve your knowledge base and keep you competitive in the industry.

Try this: If your first boss doesn’t prioritize professional development, ask them what you can do to stay fresh. You can also provide examples, such as a list of upcoming industry events, which shows you’re serious about moving your career forward.

Real-time feedback

If you aren’t performing well, you’d want to know as it happens, right? That’s why having a boss who provides real-time feedback is vital, especially if you’re a newbie. The sooner you know what you’re doing wrong, the quicker you can correct it.

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Try this: Sit down with your boss and ask if you can have a weekly or bi-weekly meeting that addresses your performance. You can use this time to review your results so far on your current task list, and discuss areas of improvement going forward. While the meeting doesn’t have to be extensive, it can save you a lot of time in the long run.

While undoubtedly your focus is on finding an open position with a company you love, your first boss is crucial to your growth and success. So make sure you look for one who has the qualities to ensure a great experience for you now and in the future.

What do you think? What are some other qualities to look for in your first boss?

20 Best Places to Work for a Great Career in 2018

Looking for a job? There’s no doubt to the fact you will want to work with a company that appreciates you for who you are.

Well, good news. The labor market today is one that has peened up with more opportunities for advancement and personal employee improvement. This is partly due to the fact that a lot of companies have been made to understand the value of their biggest assets: the employees.

To wit, here’s a list of companies- across a wide array of industries- that have been able to develop working environments that are healthy and accommodating to workers.

Take a look at these 20 best place to work for a great career:

1. Salesforce, San Francisco, California,

Salesforce is in the information technology business and the company ranks highest due to their commitment to learning and innovation. They are ready to try new things and everyone with a new idea is always welcome to share it at the company. The company has also been known to exhibit an exceptional approach to alignment.

2. Wegmans Food Markets Inc.,Rochester, New York

Based in Rochester, New York, employees have been known to enjoy a sense of purpose from working here. The company has been able to achieve an optimal level of engagement across all working tiers and they’ve been able to achieve great things together. They even do deliveries.

3. Ultimate Software, Weston, Florida

Employees get amazing benefits here but that’s not the only reason why this place is so awesome to work. Whenever there is a need or a death of an Ultipeep or any of other family members, the company shows love and support like no other.

4.The Boston Consulting Group, Inc., Boston, Massachusetts

Development is at the center of anything that goes on here. The business is about people and employees are the company’s biggest asset. Employees are able to challenge the status and also leave impacts on clients.

5. Edward Jones, St. Louis, Missouri

Edward Jones is admired for their ability to acknowledge history without being mired down by it. The company builds on a solid foundation but there is also a level of flexibility that allows for innovation.

6. Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants, San Francisco, California

Kimpton is a trendsetter in the hospitality industry. The company always strives to try something different and that perspective is welcomed there at all times. Enjoy the weekends with luxury rooms, conformable mattress, furnished and well dressed service staff. A great opportunity for job seekers.

8. Genentech, South San Francisco, California

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Here, employees are encouraged to be themselves. There is a feeling of care, safety, and acceptance that you get here that you can’t get at many firms. The development of an all-inclusive environment has always been foundational.

9. Deloitte, New York, New York

Deloitte is one of the biggest professional service providers in the world, noted for their focus on constant learning, development and improvement. They invest in their employees and are concerned about their well being.

10. Baird, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Baird is a financial services provide that is known for adopting a “no asshole policy’ which guides the way people relate with and respect each other, regardless of their position on the company’s hierarchy.

11. Quicken Loans, Detroit, Michigan

At Quicken Loans, the views and opinions of everyone are respected and heard. The organization is revered for the amount of investment they put in their team members and everyone looks for ways to grow and be better.

13. Cooley LLP, Palo Alto, California

Cooley LLP is a law firm known for their ability to care about the company culture and being able to develop a working environment that is empowering and fun. Cooley is known to go for the best when it comes to their employees, regardless of the occasion.

14. Southern Ohio Medical Center, Portsmouth, Ohio

The medical center has been known for their propensity to delegate so much to their employees, thereby providing them with the ability to grow and learn on the job. In the end, you get a workplace that is all-engaging and super fun.

15. American Express, New York, New York

American Express is a firm that celebrates wins, no matter how small. Everyone is made to share the same attitude towards service and the people they are to serve, thereby making people care about what they do.

16. Adobe Systems Inc., San Jose, California

The culture at Adobe Systems is one that encourages employees to develop their own ideas and get a strong viewpoint. As opposed to encouraging competition, work-life balance is fostered everywhere here.

18. Sap America, Newtown Square, Pennsylvania

If you’re looking for a new career path, SAP might be the best bet for you. The company is adept at recognizing value and transferable skills. And you can always look for a new path while maintaining your employment.

19. NVIDIA Corporation, Santa Clara, California

NVIDIA is known for looking after even the smallest of things. With even a “pets allowed” policy this company accepts you for who you are, and helps you to work within your personality. Advancement is also fostered, and you are able to collaborate effectively.

20. KPMG LLP, New York, New York

Communication and progressive collaboration are the foundation of this company’s workforce treatment. Regardless of the level you are, someone is always at the ready to help and the company rewards extra effort with gratitude.

All in all, it’s safe to say that you will be able to find somewhere to apply your skills (whatever they are) that is all inclusive and highly accommodative. Companies today are being made to understand how much they can get when they treat their employees right and this has opened the door to an encouraging work environment for all.